AYOZE PEREZ was known as 'The machine to make goals' when he took Tenerife into the Spanish second division.

Newcastle's season started like it was going to become a disaster and would cost manager Alan Pardew his job, but right now he's looking at Champions League football and has the bargain of the season in Perez.

The outstanding back-flicked goal Perez scored at West Brom was his third in as many league games.

During that time Newcastle have included wins against Spurs, Liverpool and Albion in a six-game unbeaten run that has excitingly turned their season round.

Mehdi Abeid, called up by Algeria for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, is another who is starring in this Newcastle revival and he said of Perez: "He scored a fantastic goal. He will score a lot more for us, he is helping us a lot."

Perez, 21, only cost Newcastle £1.,6m from Tenerife, where he started in their reserves and as he graduated to the first team scored goals on a regular basis in the club's climb from third division to the Segunda Division.

Asked if Perez could be one of the bargain buys of the season, Abeid agreed, saying: "We know he can do big things for us. Perez could be a big player for us. He is very technical, a very good player. We can see in training he has some great skills and he showed it against West Bromwich."

Newcastle spent a year watching Perez play for Tenerife and because of that he chose them ahead of a host of other big name clubs.

Porto were Newcastle's main rivals but Arsenal, Everton, Shalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, Marseille, Real Madrid, Barcelona , Valencia and Atletico Madrid were all in the Canary Isles to see him.

They could have missed out on a goal-scoring nugget.

Perez is 5ft 10 inches and slight of build. It's what put off some of the big names as they watched him slam in goal after goal in the sunshine of the Canaries and Pardew admits they will have to build him up physically.

We know he can do big things for us. Perez could be a big player for us. He is very technical, a very good player. We can see in training he has some great skills and he showed it against West Bromwich

Mehdi Abeid

Perez won best breakthrough player and best attacking midfielder last season with 16 goals in 34 appearances for CD Tenerife.

"Everything has happened very fast, from playing in the Spanish third division to having the pleasure to be here and play for Newcastle in the Premier League," he said.

"It would be unfair to ask for more."

Newcastle fans amended their old Andy Cole song and used Perez's name at The Hawthorns.

"I listened to the song and my team mates explained the significance," said Perez.

"It's the same song they sung about Andy Cole. It was very important for me. It's very nice.

"It's not often you score a goal like that."

Perez lives on Tyneside with his brother, Samuel, who is on the books of non-league Blyth Spartans

Pardew said: "We scouted Perez all through the year at Tenerife, and he was being courted by some big clubs, in particular Porto, and they don't sign anyone unless he's a good player.

"I think he just loved the way we were determined to bring him here."

Abeid was wanted by Panathinaikos after a successful loan spell last season.

He also went to St Johnstone and after three years had not made his Newcastle league debut until the win over Liverpool.